Hi end tube preamps, it’s all about functionality!!

Emerging- the marketplace for people with high quality home theater systems AND high performance 2 channel stereo systems is quite small.  Most in that arena have home theater Rooms and if they are really into music, also have a listening room for both the system and the library of ()take your choice of format) music.  Sure there are a few that combine both, but now you are throwing in a tube pre into the mix, which makes it even smaller and you want the tube pre to have a full function remote.  You already have your answer - the Backert Labs Rhythm 1.3 does all that and does it extremely well, but now you would like to put an Audio Research badge on it.  Either wait until ARC builds it the way you want or buy the Backert Labs, but PLEASE stop complaining about your plight.

These two types of consumers are a contradiction to each other.

One wants low noise, the other adds noise and ruins the music.

Been there and done that with expensive high end integrated preamp-processors used for two channel audio and hi-fi home theater. Adding a "direct" bypass button just adds more junk in the circuitry, noise. A well known audio company who started with 2ch audio eventually went out of business trying to keep both types of customers happy, software and firmware upgrades, bleh.  

Buy a sound bar, be done. 

Warning — we’re dealing with about 258MB of RAM here.  Might be kenjit’s roommate.  Participate at your own risk.  Peace out. 

Do you really wanna bet?

Integration of high end sound system with  tv-video equipment will negatively affect SQ.  Extra functionality futures calls for extra circuitry which add interference and lowering SQ.  Solution is to have two separate systems and even better solution is to have those systems in different rooms.